THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: The Normal Heart starring Ben Daniels, Dino Fetscher & Daniel Monks at National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 25 September, opens 30 September, booking to 6 November 2021

WHERE?: Olivier Theatre, National RUNTIME?: 160 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

New York was the epicentre of the HIV/AIDS pandemic crisis in the 80s and 90s and, before Channel 4’s award-winning It’s A Sin in 2021, theatre’s response to the issue had very much been American.

  • Read on for reasons including how The Normal Heart is a well-cast rallying cry against a Government not listening
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hairspray starring Michael Ball, Marisha Wallace, Les Dennis & Rita Simons at The Coliseum

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 18 September 2021, runs to 29 September 2021

RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

We loved John Waters‘ 1988 film on which this musical is based but it is a show which has surpassed its origins and there is a moment tonight when rising star Marisha Wallace sings I Know Where I’ve Been that brings the house down.

  • Read on for reasons including why Michael Ball’s number with Les Dennis reminded of Morecambe and Wise at their best
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THEATRE REVIEW: Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders at Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Matinee Saturday 18 September, booking to 6 November 2021

The last time we saw Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit the part of clairvoyant Madame Arcati was played by the late great Peggy Mount at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in 1989.

  • Read on for reasons including how Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders plays the Mme Arcati role
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THEATRE REVIEW: Back To The Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 12 September 2021 (matinee), booking to February 13 2022 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

‘Great Scott!’ Michael J. Fox starred as hero Marty McFly in 3 Back To The Future films which made more than 900 million dollars in the 80s and 90s.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical is big on spectacle but short on memorable songs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Camp Siegfried starring Patsy Ferran and Luke Thallon at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

WHEN?: Saturday 11 September, opens 18 September, runs to 30 October 2021

RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Playwright Bess Wohl penned this play last summer during the pandemic while staying outside New York as Donald Trump’s presidential re-election campaign kicked into gear.

  • Read on for reasons including how Olivier Award-winning Ferran’s indoctrination is centre stage here
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pippin starring Ryan Anderson at the Charing Cross Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN: Saturday 4 September, (matinee), runs to 3 October 2021

The reason we’re here is because the music and lyrics for Pippin were written by Stephen Schwartz who is behind musical Wicked which re-opens in the West End at London’s Victoria Apollo Theatre on 15 September 2021.

  • Read on for reasons including how we felt Charing Cross Theatre was a most unwelcoming destination and we wouldn’t recommend a visit there
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THEATRE REVIEW: Frozen starring Samantha Barks and Stephanie McKeon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 29 August, opens 8 September, booking to 26 June 2022 RUNNING TIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This theatre version of the beloved 2013 Disney computer-animated film boasts a series of visual tricks that are so impressive that we’ve never seen anything like them achieved onstage before.

  • Read on for reasons including how stars Barks and McKeon provide a believable frisson as sisters Anna and Elsa
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THEATRE REVIEW: Cinderella starring Carrie Hope Fletcher at Gillian Lynne Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Matinee Sunday 22 August 2021, opening Wednesday 25 August, booking to 29 May 2022 UPDATE: We had the pleasure of catching understudy Georgina Onuorah’s Cinderella at the matinee on Sunday 29 August. Her Cinderella may not have Hope Fletcher’s star power yet but it was an individual, thrilling performance very much in keeping with the part. A 5* debut in a 5* show.

The absolute triumph of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella is allowing Oscar winner Emerald Fennell to run riot with the story and the casting of Carrie Hope Fletcher in the titular role.

  • * Read on for reasons including how to see Cinderella now the show has extended its run to May 2022
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bagdad Cafe starring Sandra Marvin & Le Gateau Chocolat at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: Thursday 29 July, booking to 21 August 2021

We’re here because director Emma Rice has given us so many memorable theatrical moments and deep-voiced star Le Gateau Chocolat is a performer we’ve loved in cabaret but never on a West End stage like this one.

  • Read on for reasons including why the Old Vic is the most Covid-cautious of all the theatre venues we’ve visited recently
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THEATRE REVIEW: Carousel starring Declan Bennett, Carly Bawden & Joanna Riding at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 2 August 2021, opens 9 August, booking until 25 September 2021

RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

Song You’ll Never Walk Alone features here and has transcended its origins to be a favourite on the football terraces as well as last year topping the charts as a riposte to coronavirus.

  • Read on for reasons including how Riding makes a triumphant return to a show she won an Olivier for in 1993
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