THEATRE REVIEW

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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THEATRE REVIEW: This Bitter Earth starring Omari Douglas & Alexander Lincoln & directed by Billy Porter at Soho Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Wednesday 18 June, opens 24 June and runs through 26 July 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Harrison David Rivers’ 2017 play This Bitter Earth is about an interracial gay couple in the US and their different attitudes to and experiences of activism as they seek to overcome the racism and prejudice they face.

  • Read on for reasons including how this UK directorial debut is rendered with much of the theatrical flair you might expect from a performance of Billy Porter’s
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THEATRE REVIEW: Jamie Lloyd’s Evita starring Rachel Zegler at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 14 June, opens 27 June and runs through 6 September 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

Zegler may be best known currently as a film star (West Side Story and more recently Snow White) but that is all about to change as she is absolutely sensational in this debut London stage role.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is London’s must-see musical of the moment
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THEATRE REVIEW: Operation Mincemeat new UK cast at the Fortune Theatre, London

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 31 May 2025, booking through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The Broadway production of this musical starring its original British cast is up for 4 Tonys on Sunday (9 June 2025) and to celebrate we made our 3rd visit to this show.

  • Read on for reasons including how we couldn’t recommend this new musical more highly
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THEATRE REVIEW: After The Act at the Royal Court Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 24 May, runs through 14 June 2025 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (includes a 20 minute interval)

At 6pm on Monday 23 May 1988 4 lesbians protesting against Section 28 invaded a BBC studio as Sue Lawley and Nicholas Witchell started presenting the Six O’Clock News.

  • Read on for reasons including how we wouldn’t recommend this as a musical but politically it’s a diverting watch
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THEATRE REVIEW: Radiant Boy: A Haunting at Southwark Playhouse Borough (The Little) starring Stuart Thompson & Renee Lamb

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 110 minutes (with interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 24 May (matinee), runs through 14 June 2025

Russell is a singing student with cropped bleached blond hair who returns to his north-east home in the 80s where his single mother calls the local priest to exorcise her son’s demons.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is truly shocking and 1 of the best new plays of the year
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