GIG REVIEW: Rainbow In The Dark by Culture Club at SSE Arena

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: 19/12/20

SETLIST: Karma Chameleon; It’s A Miracle; I’ll Tumble 4 Ya; Everything I Own; Move Away; Time (Clock Of The Heart); We Are Gathered Here Today; Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?; Miss Me Blind; Rainbow In The Dark; Church Of The Poison Mind; Girl Gone Bad; Get It On; Karma Chameleon

The fate of this appropriately titled concert very much mirrored what a difficult year it has been for gigs because of Covid-19 – it was postponed in November because of lockdown, switched from the Royal Albert Hall and at the last minute its socially distanced audience was advised not to attend.

  • Read on for reasons including how many new songs the band play tonight

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song of 2020

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Stay Awake, Jake starring Ahmed Hamad at Southwark Playhouse

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: 19/12/20 (matinee), runs to 19/12/20 RUNTIME: 70 minutes

The best thing about this one-man musical is its star who is fresh from Rent in Manchester and the RSC’s production of David Walliams and Robbie Williams’ musical The Boy In The Dress.

  • Read on for reasons including which other Tim Gilvin musical we reviewed this year

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/film Actor of 2020

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: What The Future Holds by Steps (December 2020)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: 27/11/20

TRACKLIST: What The Future Holds; Something In My Eyes: Clouds; To The Beat Of My Heart; Father’s Eyes; One Touch; Under My Skin; Heartbreak In This City; Come And Dance With Me; Don’t You Leave Us Halfway; To The One; Hold My Heart; What The Future Holds

If 2017’s comeback album Tears On The Dancefloor was an attempt to give the band’s loyal fans what they wanted (all bangers no fillers), 2020’s consolidation seems very much about broadening their appeal with more mature mid-paced material.

  • Read on for reasons including our latest Steps for Eurovision thoughts and how to buy tickets for their 2021 tour
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/film Actress of 2020

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Pantoland at the Palladium starring Julian Clary, Beverley Knight, Elaine Paige & Diversity

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: 12/12/20, runs to 3/1/21 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including 30-minute interval)

WHERE?: London Palladium UPDATE: Lockdown means this production closed early with its last performance  15/12/20

We’ve never seen Julian Clary cry before but at the standing ovation when this socially distanced production is so rapturously received at its 1st official preview he appears to be on the verge of tears.

  • Read on for reasons including why this production is a triumph in this pandemic year

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV of 2020

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2020

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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