THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Born With Teeth starring Ncuti Gatwa & Edward Bluemel at Wyndham’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 16 August, opens 2 September and runs through 1 November 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Will they or won’t they? There’s real sexual tension between Gatwa’s roistering mentor Kit Marlowe and Bluemel’s in awe fanboy Shakespeare.

  • Read on for reasons including how Born With Teeth boasts plenty of bite, much to chew and lots that’s entertaining to swallow
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THEATRE REVIEW: Brigadoon starring Louis Gaunt at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Monday 4 August, opens 11 August and runs through 20 September 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

This outdoor setting is the perfect venue for this updated musical of 2 crashed World War Two airmen who stumble across a Scottish Highlands village seemingly suspended in time and not on any map.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a thoughtful re-imagination of a classic which deserves to be seen in this glorious outdoor venue
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THEATRE REVIEW: Good Night, Oscar starring Sean Hayes at the Barbican Centre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Friday 1 August, opens 6 August and runs through 21 September 2025 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

Sean Hayes won the 2023 Best Actor Tony for this portrayal of comedian and pianist Oscar Levant and here makes his London debut in a show which takes a peek behind the curtain of the exploitation of mental illness for entertainment.

  • Read on for reasons including how Good Night, Oscar proves darkly comic, hugely thought-provoking and ultimately extremely moving
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LAST NIGHT: THEATRE REVIEW: The Fifth Step starring Jack Lowden & Martin Freeman @SohoPlace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN? Saturday 26 July 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Like all of the greatest actors, Jack Lowden (Measure For Measure, Donmar) is absolutely unrecognisable as Scottish incel Luka here compared with the role of flawed hero River Cartwright he is perhaps best known for in Apple TV’s fine Slow Horses.

  • Read on for reasons including how we laughed a lot at The Fifth Step and the dexterity of the wordplay is quite beautiful
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THEATRE REVIEW: Intimate Apparel starring Samira Wiley, Kadiff Kirwan & Faith Omole at Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 26 July, runs through 9 August 2025 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Jack Thorne (The Motive And The Cue, National Theatre) recently described Lynn Nottage, the author of this play, as ‘the closest thing to a living Shakespeare we have’ and on the evidence of this production it’s easy to see why.

  • Read on for reasons including how Intimate Apparel is ultimately devastating as we realise the truth of Esther’s situation
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THEATRE REVIEW: Brixton Calling at Southwark Playhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *** (review ticket)

WHEN?: Friday 25 July 2025 (press night), runs through 16 August 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

The best thing about this story of the rejuvenation of 1 of London’s greatest venues is its cast playing instruments evoking punk, reggae, rave and rock filling the listener with belief that music at its best really can change the world.

  • Read on for reasons including the true story of how Simon Parkes founded Brixton Academy
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs at Kiln Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 12 July (matinee), runs through 15 July 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Ana wants closeted girlfriend Lori to join a lesbian choir to find some shared pride in their relationship.

  • Read on for reasons including how this play really bares its teeth and bites down on division
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THEATRE REVIEW: Four Play starring Jo Foster & Daniel Bravo at King’s Head Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Sunday 13 July, opens 15 July and runs through 17 August 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

The best thing about this 4-hander about monogamy in gay relationships is Foster’s (Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre) heartfelt performance as Andy as they try to salvage their open relationship with gym-obsessed Michael (Daniel Bravo, Cruel Intentions, Other Palace).

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s a thrill to see such intimate and thought-provoking material in a studio setting
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THEATRE REVIEW: Sing Street at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN? Saturday 12 July, opens 18 July and runs through 23 August 2025 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

Everything Stops For Top Of The Pops is the opening number of this new musical based on a film which encapsulates first love, the thrill of pop music and wanting to escape 80s Dublin for the freedom of London.

  • Read on for reasons including why Sing Street is Once‘s cute younger brother and deserves a West End transfer
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Moon For The Misbegotten starring Ruth Wilson & Michael Shannon

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 4 July, runs through 16 August 2025 RUNTIME: 175 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The casting of Wilson as the hardy farmer Josie initially appears jarring but eventually fits perfectly in this story of a woman who creates her own unreliable narrative.

  • Read on for reasons including how these stellar performances deserve both West End and Broadway runs
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