THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Beautiful Little Fool starring David Hunter, Hannah Corneau & Lauren Ward at Southwark Playhouse (The Large)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 16 January, opens 22 January and runs through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

Corneau (pictured centre above) has written the music and lyrics for this look at the life of Zelda Fitzgerald and her husband F. Scott, who wrote classic novel The Great Gatsby, through the eyes of their daughter.

  • Read on for reasons including how Corneau has great potential and may well go on to write and star in something quite exceptional next
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THEATRE REVIEW: Gerry & Sewell at the Aldwych Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Thursday 15 January 2026, runs through 24 January 2026 (review ticket) RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Non-league Macclesfield beat FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 5 days ago and Gerry & Sewell is the giant-killing theatrical equivalent.

  • Read on for reasons including how Gerry & Sewell is about the everyday hopes and dreams that every one of us needs to keep going, pet
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dracapella starring Keala Settle (but not this night) & Ako Mitchell at Park Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 10 January 2026, runs through 17 January 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this jukebox musical loosely retelling the Dracula story via the medium of acapella hits is the entrancing blend of voices on show.

  • Read on for reasons including how Dracapella was more pain in the neck for us than giving eternal life
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THEATRE REVIEW: Daniel’s Husband starring Joel Harper-Jackson, Liza Sadovy & David Bedella

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 10 January (matinee) and runs through 10 January 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Should gay couples get married because they can?

  • Read on for reasons including how Daniel’s Husband deserves a West End transfer because the questions it asks have never been more pertinent than now
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bengal Tiger At The Baghdad Zoo starring Arinze Kene & Peter Forbes at the Young Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK? **1/2

WHEN? Saturday 13 December (matinee) and runs through 31 January 2026 RUNTIME 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Young Vic artistic director Nadia Fall takes to the stage immediately before this performance to say 3rd ‘tiger’ Peter Forbes (Follies, National Theatre) only read the play on Wednesday, 3 days ago.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’d advise to go late in the run to see this production if at all
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THEATRE REVIEW: End starring Clive Owen & Saskia Reeves at the Dorfman, National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***

WHEN? Monday 8 December, runs through 17 January 2026 RUNTIME 90 minutes (without interval)

A 90s house DJ discusses his cancer with the mother of their child as their 60th birthdays approach and he looks for the titular end armed with the ‘best record in his box’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a rare chance to see this cast in an intimate setting in challenging new material
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THEATRE REVIEW: High Noon starring Billy Crudup & Denise Gough at Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 19 December, opens 9 January and runs through 7 March 2026 RUNTIME 100 minutes without interval

There’s a clock above the stage ticking forward in real time to the titular High Noon as Billy Crudup’s marshal Will Kane prepares to meet his fate.

  • Read on for reasons including how Gough and Crudup make for a couple the audience can root for
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THEATRE REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk starring Victoria Scone at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 December (matinee), runs through 4 January 2026

This pantomime penned by the genius that is Andrew Pollard offers an ‘adults only’ option and we’re clearly at the wrong showing but there’s so much potential here that we can’t wait to return.

  • Read on for reasons including how author Pollard continues to show what 1 can achieve with a heart bigger than a budget
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THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods starring Katie Brayben, Kate Fleetwood & Jamie Parker at the Bridge Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Tuesday 16 December and runs through 30 May 2026, transfers to Noel Coward Theatre 22 September through 9 January 2027 Tickets RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This musical is the story of a baker and his wife who are struggling to have a child and decide to work together to end the witch’s curse over them.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a visual treat with Christmas parallels boasting an exquisite cast singing some of Sondheim’s most affecting work
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THEATRE REVIEW: Woman In Mind starring Sheridan Smith & Romesh Ranganathan at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 12 December, opens 6 January and runs through 28 February 2026 and then to Sunderland Empire and Glasgow Theatre Royal RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Patsy Cline’s Crazy and Jamiroquai‘s Virtual Insanity play immediately before curtain up to establish the mood as we enter the mind of Susan played by national treasure Sheridan Smith (Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how Smith brings the warmth and humanity she is renowned for to some still topical material
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