THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Cinderella starring Baga Chipz, Sheila Simmonds and Holly Stars at the Trafalgar Studios

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Trafalgar Studios RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 15/12 (matinee), runs to 5/1/20

Drag sashayed ever further into the mainstream this year with a triumphant first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on the BBC and now we have this pantomime take-over of a renowned West End stage.

* Read on for reasons including how your reviewer made his West End stage debut after being plucked from the audience for this show

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THEATRE REVIEW: Snowflake at the Kiln Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Kiln Theatre RUNTIME: 115 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 14/12, press night 16/12, runs to 25/1/20

Andy waits alone on Christmas Eve in an Oxfordshire village hall hoping the daughter who he has not seen for three years will meet him there.

* Read on for reasons including why this is the first great Brexit play

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THEATRE REVIEW: Teenage Dick at the Donmar starring Daniel Monks

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Donmar Warehouse RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 7/12, press night 12/12, runs to 1/2/20

Actor Daniel Monks has hemiplegia and author Mike Lew tailored his script for the British premiere of his reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III to modern-day US high school Roseland High.

* Read on for reasons including how it boasts one of the most accomplished theatrical performances of the year

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Duchess of Malfi starring Lydia Wilson at the Almeida

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Almeida RUNTIME: 175 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

WHEN? 2/12, press night 10/12, runs to 25/1/20

The Duchess of Malfi is a Jacobean revenge tragedy written in the 17th century by English dramatist John Webster that is unusual for having a female protagonist.

* Read on for reasons including what Olivier Award-nominated director Rebecca Frecknall brings to this

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THEATRE REVIEW: Cyrano de Bergerac starring James McAvoy at the Playhouse Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE? Playhouse Theatre RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 30/11, press night 6/12, runs to 29/2/20

‘This’ll work – I’ve seen it in a movie with Steve Martin.’ So says McAvoy to much audience laughter as Cyrano de Bergerac before impersonating friend Christian who is struggling to woo the challenging Roxane.

  • Read on for reasons including why this isn’t quite the crown on top of a remarkable year for director Jamie Lloyd

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PANTOMIME REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Andrew Pollard and Anthony Spargo at the Greenwich Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Greenwich Theatre RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 29/11 (press night), runs to 12/1/20

Welcome to a show worthy of the West End but at a fraction of the ticket price that speaks to what it is like to live in this beautiful nook of south-east London.

  • Read on for reasons including what writer/dame/director Andrew Pollard thinks of this show stopping panto

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Boy Friend starring Amara Okereke, Janie Dee, Adrian Edmondson and Issy Van Randwyck at the Menier

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Menier Chocolate Factory RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including two intervals)

WHEN? 22/11, press night 3/12, runs to 7/3/20

Julie Andrews made her American stage debut in this 1954 British musical in a role played here by Amara Okereke who won a Stage Debut award for Best Actress in a Musical

  • Read on for reasons including how this impressive cast includes comedian Adrian Edmondson

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THEATRE REVIEW: Sydney And The Old Girl starring Miriam Margolyes at the Park Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Park Theatre RUNTIME: 140 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 2/11, press night 5/11, runs to 30/11/19

Star Miriam Margolyes may be playing a woman who is housebound and sits predominantly in a wheelchair  here but she has a hugely expressive face which leaves us in no doubt about what she is thinking.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see this world premiere

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Antipodes starring Arthur Darvill, Conleth Hill & Fisayo Akinade

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: **1/2

WHERE? Dorfman Theatre, National  RUNTIME: 110 minutes without interval

WHEN? 26/10 (matinee), press night 30/10, runs to 23/11/19

We’re at this preview of Annie Baker’s new play set in what appears to be a present-day US writers’ room because it has a mouthwatering ensemble cast.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’d find this a difficult play to recommend

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THEATRE REVIEW: On Bear Ridge starring Rhys Ifans, Rakie Ayola, Jason Hughes & Sion Daniel Young at the Royal Court

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Royal Court Theatre RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 26/10, press night 28/10, runs to 23/11/19

Owners John Daniel and Noni  are not leaving their isolated shop on Bear Ridge despite the lack of custom and instead are reminiscing about the times when people were not divided and used the old language.

  • Read on for reasons including why monstagigz favourite Sion Daniel Young shines here

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